National Unity Platform (NUP): Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine – Statement on the Resolution of the European Parliament on the Violation of Human Rights linked to Investments in the Oil Pipeline (21.09.2022)

Tchad: Conseil Militaire de Transition (CMT) – Presidence du Conseil – Primature – Secretariat General du Governement – Decret No. 3001 (21.09.2022)

Ethiopia: FDRE Permanent Mission to the United Nations – Geneva – Ethiopia is committed to peace and human rights in the country (21.09.2022)

Democratic Republic of Congo President denounces ‘aggression’ by Rwanda, calls on United Nations to support African-led mediation (21.09.2022)

The President argued that the DRC has been a victim of a security crisis that has lasted more than 20 years aggression.

GENEVA, Switzerland, September 21, 2022 – The major challenges facing humanity “complex and interlocking,” Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), said on Tuesday evening, while he also noted that the DRC had faced decades of ‘agression’ at the hands of a neighbouring country. “Peace and security for all, controlling climate change, relaunching the global economy post-COVID economic recovery; combatting poverty and promoting collective well-being” are today’s most pressing challenges, he said.

Overcoming them will require working in greater concert, with more cooperation and solidarity between States and nations, the DRC leader said in his adress to the opening of the UN General Assembly’s annual high-level debate.

Terrorism

Stressing that international peace and security remains the UN’s primary objective, he said that “neither indifference nor impetus on its part” are acceptable “in the face of any threats to international peace and security”.

At present, this question is “crystalizing around the fight against terrorism as well as calming hotbeds of tension” in Europe and in Africa, he continued.

Terrorism has spared no continent,” said Mr. Tshilombo, adding that having metastasized in Africa, the continent is paying a heavy price.

He noted that in the name of religious fundamentalism terrorists are barbarically killing innocent people in the East, West, Centre and South of the continent.

And while remarkable progress has been made in the Middle East to combat the scourge, it is far from being eliminated.

As a DRC is victim of terrorism, despite its membership in the Global Coalition against the Islamic State, the President called upon the UN to become actively involved in implementing the recommendations of Coalition and the Aqaba process.

Statements of intention and proclamations of faith without any vigorous collective action on the ground we never be enough to eradicate terrorism,” he said.

Security crisis

The President argued that the DRC has been a victim of a security crisis that has lasted more than 20 years aggression.

Despite tireless international efforts a massive UN military presence in the DRC and diplomatic support for 23 years, this security problem continues to aggrieve my country,” he said.

To eradicate insecurity once and for all and restore lasting peace, and stability in the country’s east, several agreements were signed with armed groups and neighbouring countries along with the creation of national and international mechanisms, but he lamented that a settlement lasted only a few months.

Very quickly the architecture of those prospects cracked, and the building collapsed,” he said.

Rwandan ‘agression’

The Head of State drew attention to attacks from neighbouring Rwanda along with what he saw as that country’s support of armed terrorist groups that are ravaging the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

In defiance of international law, the UN Charter and the Constitutive Act of the African Union, he said that Rwanda, on 23 March, not only launched a direct military incursion in North Kivu but had also provided ”massive” support to the M23 armed terrorist group in occupying localities there.

The M23 with the support of the Rwandan army even shot down a MONUSCO helicopter and killed eight blue helmets…committing a war crime,” he said, referring to the UN peace and stabilization mission in the country.

Mr. Tshilombo said that he would continue to “tirelessly denounced” the aggression.

He went on to call for increasing pressure on Rwanda and the M23 so that they respect the positions taken by international organizations. Furthermore, he said there must be broad support for the continuation of the Nairobi peace process, the Luanda DRC-Rwanda talks and the deployment of the East African regional force .

In that context, he also urged the intenational commnity to support and encourage the former President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta, and the current President of Angola, João Lourenço, Mediators of the East African Community ( EAC) and the African Union in the security crisis in the DRC, to continue their good offices.

Question of image

He told the Assembly that that Rwanda’s responsibility along with that of its allies, the M23, have been documented in reports by UN-mandated experts and the expanded joint verification mission of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, international humanitarian non-governmental organizations and human rights organization.

But, to dispel any doubts and put an end to the denials of Rwandan authorities on the subject, the DRC’s most senior official asked the Security Council President to officially distribute to its members, the latest UN report on the subject.

It is a question of the very image and credibility of our Organization,” he said.

To proceed otherwise would encourage Rwanda to continue its aggression, war crimes and crimes against humanity in the DRC, he warned, adding that it would also further fuel the Congolese people’s legitimate suspicion surrounding the UN’s impartiality as well as the complicity of some of its members in these crimes.

Somalia: Famine looms in Somalia, but many ‘hunger hotspots’ are in deep trouble (21.09.2022)

The number of people facing life-threatening levels of hunger worldwide without immediate humanitarian aid, is expected to rise steeply in coming weeks, the UN said on Wednesday, in a new alert about looming famine in the Horn of Africa and beyond.

NEW YORK, United States of America, September 21, 2022 – In Somalia, “hundreds of thousands are already facing starvation today with staggering levels of malnutrition expected among children under five,” warned the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP).“Large-scale deaths from hunger” are increasingly likely in the east African nation, the UN agencies continued, noting that unless “adequate” help arrives, analysts expect that by December, “as many as four children or two adults per 10,000 people, will die every day”.

Complex roots

In addition to the emergency already unfolding in Somalia, the UN agencies flagged 18 more deeply concerning “hunger hotspots”, whose problems have been created by conflict, drought, economic uncertainty, the COVID pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Humanitarians are particularly worried for Afghanistan, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Somalia, and Yemen, where a record 970,000 people “are expected to face catastrophic hunger and are starving or projected to starve or at risk of deterioration to catastrophic conditions, if no action is taken”, the UN agencies said.

This is 10 times more than six years ago, when only two countries had populations as badly food insecure, FAO and WFP noted, in a new report.

Urgent humanitarian action is needed and at scale in all of these at-risk countries “to save lives and livelihoods” and prevent famine, the UN agencies insisted.

Harsh winter harvest

According to FAO and WFP, acute food insecurity around the world will worsen from October to January.

In addition to Somalia, they highlighted that the problem was also dire in the wider Horn of Africa, where the longest drought in over 40 years is forecast to continue, pushing people “to the brink of starvation”.

Successive failed rains have destroyed people’s crops and killed their livestock “on which their survival depends”, said FAO Director-General QU Dongyu, who warned that “people in the poorest countries” were most at risk from acute food security that was “rising fast and spreading across the world”.

FAO’s QU calls for massive aid scale-up

Vulnerable communities “have yet to recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic are suffering from the ripple effects of ongoing conflicts, in terms of prices, food and fertilizer supplies, as well as the climate emergency,” the FAO chief continued.

He insisted that “without a massively scaled-up humanitarian response” to sustain agriculture, “the situation will likely worsen in many countries in the coming months”.

Echoing that message, WFP Executive Director David Beasley appealed for immediate action to prevent people dying.

We urgently need to get help to those in grave danger of starvation in Somalia and the world’s other hunger hotspots,” he said.

Perfect storm of problems

This is the third time in 10 years that Somalia has been threatened with a devastating famine,” Mr. Beasley continued.

The famine in 2011 was caused by two consecutive failed rainy seasons as well as conflict. Today we’re staring at a perfect storm: a likely fifth consecutive failed rainy season that will see drought lasting well into 2023.”

In addition to soaring food prices, those most at risk from acute food insecurity also have “severely limited opportunities” to earn a living because of the pandemic, the WFP chief explained, as relief teams brace for famine in the Somali districts of Baidoa and Burhakaba in Bay region, come October.

Below the “highest alert” countries – identified as Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Nigeria, South Sudan, Somalia and Yemen – the joint FAO-WFP report notes that the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, Kenya, the Sahel, the Sudan and Syria are “of very high concern”, in addition to newcomers the Central African Republic and Pakistan.

Guatemala, Honduras and Malawi have also been added to the list of hunger hotspot countries, joining Madagascar, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe.

Barriers to aid

Humanitarian assistance is crucial to save lives and prevent starvation, death and the total collapse of livelihoods, FAO and WFP insist, while highlighting chronic access problems caused by “insecurity, administrative and bureaucratic impediments, movement restrictions and physical barriers” in 11 of the 19 hotspot countries.

This includes “all six of the countries where populations are facing or are projected to face starvation…or are at risk of deterioration towards catastrophic conditions”, they said.

Opinion: Putin’s misadventure will haunt him

The Ukrainian Invasion since February 2022 has shown who the Russian President really is. This conflict is embodying who Vladimir Putin is and what he wants. Putin wanted this and ordered it to happen. He did it because he could and he knew the Russian Federation would follow his command.

That’s what the 3 day war that has become a 210 days has shown who he is. Maybe not in the flattering light he thought he was. Neither is it anything worthy of a Head of State. No, his just another bloodthirsty tyrant and a warlord. That’s who he is and spearheading Russian Imperialism as well.

Putin hasn’t shown a good character or been directing this war wisely. Instead he has oozed arrogance and entitlement. The Ukrainian President, the Ukrainian Republic and their sovereignty was unworthy for him. Ukraine was just supposed to bow down and bend over to his glory. The Russian Forces was just supposed to Kyiv and overthrow the Volodymyr Zelensky government. However, we knew that never happened and instead the momentum is all in the hands of Kyiv now.

That’s why Moscow, Kremlin and the State Duma is doing whatever it can boost the war-effort. The Special Operation was supposed to be a short mission to annex the whole Ukraine. Later it had to retreat from attacking around Kyiv and moved more to Donbass and the South. Now, the South is soon over too and they are losing territories inside Donbass too. The Donbass which was so important. Now that’s the most important and the reason for it all.

While we all know Putin wanted the whole of Ukraine. Putin wanted to takeover Kyiv and install a puppet there. He wanted to show supremacy and wanted to outright silence free-thinking nations in the Moscow sphere. That’s why he went to war and ordered the war against Ukraine. He thought it would be easier after sponsoring insurgency in Donbass and already annexed Crimea. Now, thinks are going wrong and he wants to save face.

Putin isn’t a tactical genius. Neither is the Russian forces that mighty either. They only have had better machinery and air-support than Ukraine ever did. That superiority has been lost over time. The losses of mechanical divisions and technical teams must have hurt the Russians too. Not to mention sending in lesser trained or well prepared soldiers to the fronts. This is only causing more bloodshed and destroying whatever moral that is left. Since, the months of war and no progress. Only more desperate means and that’s why it’s a felony to leave your post or even to desert from the army. Meaning the ones who flee the bloody war can be punished by law.

This war has only shown the sinister side and exposed it more. The ones haven’t followed the Russians forces in Syria, Chechnya or Georgia has seen the brutality before. It isn’t anything new… the total destruction and annihilation, which is a trait of their offensives. Therefore, all of this will be proven now and shown in a manner of which Putin haven’t seen before either. His name will be synonymous with this war. The bloodshed and the murderous acts of his armies will be pinned on him. That was done because of him and his whims.

Putin has achieved none of the strategical, operational or tactical objectives in the war against Ukraine. Instead he has lost even more. The Russian Federation is further being financially punished and being sanctioned. In such a way that the Russians will be hurt for a long time. While NATO has been strengthened, the EU is more unified and Ukraine is closer to Europe than before the invasion. The same with other former Soviet Republics like Georgia and Moldova too. This has all backfired and it’s all because of Putin.

These 210 days cannot be how Putin envisioned it. Surely he thought after a weeks time he would be sitting in Kyiv and looking fabulous. He and his generals grinning from teeth to teeth. Thinking and considering where to go next. As he envisioned this as the start of a new USSR. Take back the glory days and become a modern Tsar of sorts. However, we are seeing the resilience of the Ukrainians and their armed forces. That is something that Putin underestimated and didn’t consider their will to defend their motherland.

Putin has shown his true character. He has exposed what his willing to do. There is no other way to describe it. The “Z” is now a sign of the invasion and how they are promoting this war. That “Z” will be logo and the story, which reflects who Putin is. Because, he thought the “Z” would bring glory, be a tale of wonders and re-unite the former USSR republics. Instead, it has shown that they are even further apart and his influence is sinking.

Well, the armies and the strength of the Russian war-machine isn’t as grandeur as it was on paper. Instead, it was hectic, chaotic and a mess, which couldn’t pull this one off. Putin will not be remembered in the kindest of light. No, there to much blood and suffering on his reign. Not only the ones dying in this war, but the means for consolidation of power and be supreme has caused plenty of others their lives too. If not they are lingering in jail or trying live safely in exile. That isn’t the act of a beloved statesman. No, that’s the act of a tyrant and he knows that well. Peace.

Russia: The Duma and Kremlin is getting closer to a “total war”… against Ukraine

Defense-industrial complex organizations need to ensure the delivery of the required weapons and equipment to the troops, weapons of destruction as soon as possible” – President Vladimir Putin (20.09.2022).

Today its a lot of news from Moscow, in that order the Kremlin and the State Duma has issued several amendments of law, which was voted before getting three readings in the national assembly. Meaning these amendments are pushed through and that’s because of the situation in concern to the invasion in Ukraine. There now knowledge of retreating Russian forces and huge advances of the Ukrainian forces. That has hurt the Russian forces and cause in Ukraine. Which is only becoming more dire by the day.

The news from Russia is very clear. They will do a full mobilization of new recruits for the war. The days of the “Special Operation” and only liberation of Ukraine or even later Donbass. Is surely getting into an another gear after losing lots of occupied territories of late. The Russian are furthering to push through “referendums” in Donbass and other areas, which the Russian forces only have percentages of the territories in the Oblasts in question.

The Russians are clearly aiming for a “total war” and where the War Economy becomes key. That’s why these laws and the President met with the war-industry. All of these things fits together and is a planned effort. Since, the Russian government cannot upkeep or have enough resources to do things otherwise. This war is costing not only on lives of Russian soldiers and equipments. No, it is costing lives of civilians in Ukraine, destruction of towns and villages, cities are burning and this is done; because the Russian Federation wanted to do it.

Now, the Russian government want more people to take apart and make it illegal to desert the army. A mutiny will become dangerous and retreating could make you a felon. That is a really saying a lot about how dire the war in Ukraine is for Russia at the moment. This is the “strategic genius” of Putin. To practically order “Total War” after over 200 days of a 3 day long war…

Read these news from the government friendly press RIA Novosti!

MOSCOW, September 20 – RIA Novosti. The State Duma at a plenary session on Tuesday approved an amendment, in particular, proposing to introduce the concepts of “mobilization”, “martial law”, “wartime”, “armed conflict” into the Criminal Code of Russia. According to the text of the amendments, in a number of paragraphs of the Criminal Code the words “in conditions of armed conflict or hostilities” are replaced by the words “during the period of mobilization or martial law, in wartime or in conditions of armed conflict or hostilities.” (RIA Novosti – ‘The State Duma approved an amendment to introduce the concept of “mobilization” into the Criminal Code’ 20.09.2022).

MOSCOW, September 20 – RIA Novosti. Amendments were introduced to the State Duma on punishment for non-appearance for military service on conscription or desertion in the form of imprisonment for up to ten years, the authors were, in particular, deputies Valery Piskarev, Leonid Slutsky, as well as Senator Andrey Klishas. “Unauthorized abandonment of a unit or place of service, as well as failure to appear on time without good reason for service for a period of more than one month, committed by a serviceman undergoing military service by conscription or under a contract, during the period of mobilization or martial law, in wartime or in conditions of armed conflict or the conduct of hostilities are punishable by imprisonment for a term of five to ten years,” the text of the amendments says. Citizens who are in the reserve, during their military training, are criminally liable for the commission of crimes under this article, which is established for military personnel undergoing military service under a contract, the amendments emphasize” (RIA Novosti – ‘Amendments were made to the State Duma on imprisonment for failure to appear for military service’ 20.09.2022).

These laws and new releases in combination with the meetings with military industries are all connected. That’s because the war in Ukraine is going down the drain. The Hail-Mary in the mix is the “referendums” in the occupied territories. To make it a “people’s choice” to leave Ukraine and join the Russian Federation. We all know this is all a play and only for the master in Kremlin. It isn’t done because Ukraine wants any of or anyone else for that matter. Yes, there are token traitors of the Ukrainian Republic in the territories, but they will feel the pinch when the pendulum swings the other way.

The war has really gone for the worst of late for Russia. There is already news of massacres and mass-graves, which has been found in liberated territories. This wasn’t only a thing in Bucha, but is what the Russian does in the occupied territories. They are not there to liberate, but to violate. This is their mission and certainly they are not trying to make Ukraine liveable. No, they are tarnishing and destroying it. That’s what they are up too. There isn’t anything positive in imperialism and Russian imperialism is as bad as any other. Their arrogance and ignorance of the others are obvious.

The Russians calls Ukrainians brothers, but they have no trouble to rape, torture or kill at will Ukrainians. That’s why the brotherhood isn’t worth the sentiment or the idea even. The Russians aren’t coming in peace, but coming in war.

We should await the memo that the “Special Operation” is over and it’s officially “war”. Like that makes a difference? Other than in the minds of the cronies in Moscow. We all others has seen war and total brutality served on a daily basis in Ukraine. So, to think they are doing anything else is pointless. Peace.

Ethiopia: Government of Tigray – External Affairs Office – Statement from The Central Command of the Government of Tigray (20.09.2022)

Ethiopia: Oromo Legacy Leadership and Advocacy Association (OLLAA) – UN Commission Release Report on Ethiopia (20.09.2022)

Opinion: The EALA MPs race is already finished

The ones expecting any sort of shocks or sudden changes in the East African Legislative Assembly Members of Parliament (MP) race will be in a dire loss. The EALA MP race which is already scheduled will most likely be a settled affair already.

It is the MPs that elects them and the majority will go to the National Resistance Movement (NRM). The NRM has already 6 candidates or Flag-Bearers and you should expect all of them to be settled in. The Democratic Party (DP) will get one MP as that was signed off in the DP-NRM agreement, which was signed of earlier in the year. That means 6 of the 9 slots is already taken. Further, the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) should also get a candidate in for their loyalty and working relationship with NRM. That means 8 of the 9 MPs are already elected without much say. The last will be to a NRM leaning Independent and a “vetted” one like that. This is what you should expect and anything else would be weird at this point.

The NRM will have the majority and that is reflected in the NRM Caucus with their 6 Candidates. This is an easy pick and securing plum-jobs to former MPs and Ministers who has lost out. That’s why the EALA is a nice place for them to be put. When there is no parastatal or government entities to get appointed into. Therefore, the EALA is a well fitting place to do so.

The others are giving favourable and friendly parties of the Parliament a “shout-out” or “props” for their loyalty. They are getting a EALA MP slot and that’s why its easy to see the 6+2 or 8, which is al but missing 1 of the EALA MPs.

That Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) is fielding a flag-bearer is futile. The same can be said about whoever the National Unity Platform (NUP) would pick or have in this role. The Justice Forum (JEEMA) has also a flag-bearer, but that person will not go nowhere either. As the JEEMA has been an ally of the People Power and the NUP. So, with that in mind these parties candidates will go nowhere. There is no way that the majority of the Parliament will give them way. They are really wasting their time and only playing into the procedural games of the state. Yes, they have a right to have a flag-bearer or a EALA MP candidate, but it’s totally pointless. The opposition could have the best man or woman. They could have the incarnated saviour of the planet and all souls. That person still wouldn’t have a chance, because the NRM has decided and there is no turning back.

The FDC, NUP and JEEMA has no chance here. They should just give up. The DP and UPC will get the other spots. There is little chances for the independent candidates in this race, if any. Yes there is a talk of 15 MP candidates, but as long as you don’t have suction or pre-arranged agreements. These shouldn’t expect much. They are fillers on a paper or if even that…

The ones believing this will be free and fair elections. I hate to say it’s partly sealed already. The only last seat is what is unknown. While that one will most likely go to a NRM leaning Independent and someone in favour of the NRM without being on it’s ticket. That meaning all of the 9 of 9 EALA MPs.

The ones thinking the FDC, NUP or JEEMA has a shot at this… well, I cannot see it happening. It isn’t like the NRM or the ones in power has allowed that before. No, they rather see their own there and no one else. The only reason why UPC and DP has a chance, is because of their working arrangements with the NRM. That’s why they are getting favour and office. Not because of their representation or the will of the people. No, it’s because of ceremonial reasons between the NRM and their allies. There is nothing else too this. Peace.